Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in content creation but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mitchell Russell, Founder of NerdSimple, located in Mount Laurel, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

NerdSimple is a tech blog for everyday geeks, nerds, and technophiles. We talk about the latest trends and news in the gaming industry, wearable tech, entrepreneurship, fintech, and even mental health in a digital world.

Our readers are people that love tech and integrate it into their daily lives. They're gamers, business starters, coders, and gamers. We're an approachable, easy-to-read news feed that aims to be people's best tech site bookmark. We've got a presence on Twitter, IG, Facebook, and Pinterest, where we post thoughts, memes and connect with our readers on a more granular level.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in tech most of my life. I got my first PC in the very early 90s and have been gaming since the atari days. I started my first home-based business, building and selling computers, and then in 2003, I started a software company. I've always had the entrepreneurial spirit and aim to help educate and guide others on the best ways to start and grow their businesses.

I'm constantly trying not to just "fit in" and do the 9-5. I want to have something that's my own, and that will help others to learn and succeed. I feel like NerdSimple can evolve into that. I've tried eCommerce, I've tried B2B and B2C software development, but nothing has felt as rewarding as writing articles and producing content that others can benefit from and learn from.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

From 2013-2017, I was at the peak of my success as a software company owner. We had several enterprise-class clients and a huge non-profit client, and we were producing work for these customers that benefited thousands of their customers as a result of that work.

I eventually stepped down from running that company to take care of my mental health and since then have switched gears to doing things that were more personally rewarding - that felt like they'd make a difference. I feel like making that decision was a huge accomplishment, where one decides that financial success doesn't mean personal success, and instead, I'm on a mission to grow something that gives me both of those things.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I absolutely believe that many business owners prioritize their business over their own well-being, and I'm here to say that's the worst thing you can do for your business. Disconnect, refresh, take the time with family and friends, or even just have some quiet time on your own - go for walks, read books that enrich and improve your skills as a leader and business owner. Running a business can break you mentally if you go too hard - success comes with effort and time, not with running yourself into the ground each day.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. The absolute #1 tip I can give here is, do not take "toxic" money to run your business. Money like merchant capital advances can help in a pinch, but you'll enter into one of the worst debt cycles you can imagine. These lenders are happy to give you money at the expense of running your business into the ground.
  2. Take your time. Everyone wants huge success overnight, but if you're bootstrapping a business, it's going to take time and effort and frustration, but if you take your time and are doing something you love, you'll get there.
  3. Do something you love. Don't pick a focus for your business that you're not passionate about. If you love gaming, become a streamer! If you love tech, write about it and grow an audience. If you love food and travel, do a travel and food blog. All of these things can turn into monetized products. If you don't love what you're doing, you're going to half-ass it, and it'll fizzle out.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We're here to help. I started NerdSimple after facing some of my own business failures recently in the way that I want to help others avoid the same problems. I want to educate, advise, support and help other tech-savvy people thrive in a world where it feels like almost everything is working against them. Reach out via email or social - ask questions - I'm happy to share what I've learned over the years.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.nerdsimple.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nerdsimpleblog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nerdsimpleblog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nerdsimpleblog

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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